Somerset, Hunterdon law enforcement to target risky driving in summer-fall crackdown
Law enforcement agencies in Somerset and Hunterdon counties will be conducting regional traffic enforcement through the remainder of the summer and into the fall of 2025 as part of a nationwide effort to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the roads.
The operation is supported by grant funding and aligns with the mission of the Road to Zero Coalition, a national initiative led by the National Safety Council and supported by federal, state, and local governments, non-profits, and private sector organizations. The coalition’s goal is to eliminate traffic-related deaths in the United States.
According to preliminary estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 39,345 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2024. Millions more were injured. Officials note that the vast majority of these incidents are caused by human error—drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists making unsafe or illegal choices.
“These crashes are avoidable,” authorities stated. “Injuries can be prevented, and lives can be saved.”
The Road to Zero initiative focuses on the three E’s of traffic safety:
- Engineering, which addresses roadway design and construction improvements
- Education, aimed at informing all road users about traffic laws and safe behavior
- Enforcement, the responsibility of law enforcement to uphold traffic regulations
As part of the enforcement effort, officers across both counties will be on the lookout for violations including:
- Speeding
- Failure to stop for traffic signals or stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper turns or passing
- Tailgating
- Impaired or distracted driving
- Failure to yield or move over
Motorists are urged to drive attentively and responsibly.
“Please buckle up, obey the law, and drive sober and courteously,” authorities advised. “Every choice behind the wheel can save a life—including your own.”
The enforcement campaign will continue into the fall as part of the region’s commitment to reducing roadway fatalities and supporting national traffic safety goals.
